Oct 18, 2018

Spotify releases official, and much-needed, app for Google's Wear OS

Now you can fast-forward through playlists without taking out your phone.
You'll now be able to bring your music volume down to one percent (when
ads start) without having to take out your phone, as Spotify has
announced a new app for Google Wear OS. That's not to say there was
never a Spotify app for Android wearables. A Spotify app did launch for
Android wear, but wasn't regularly updated. It got to the point that
third-party apps were being released to give Android wear fans a more
usable Spotify experience.

The app brings with it most features found in Spotify's Android app, but
in a compact and on-the-go format. Spotify has also partnered with
Fossil by preloading its software on all Fossil and Michael Kors devices
moving forward. Unfortunately the app still requires your phone to
stream music, so do not expect the phone-free experience that Apple
Music users have on the Apple Watch.

This is welcome news for Wear OS owners as Android smartwatches have
been lagging in features, especially when compared to the recent Apple
Watch Series 4. But last month Qualcomm threw a press conference
announcing its more efficient Snapdragon Wear 3100 chip. While the chip
is largely the same to its predecessor -- the Snapdragon Wear 2100 from
two years ago -- it draws a lot less power, extending battery life.
Google has also revamped the operating system to something that feels
more like it was meant for smartwatches, rather than a miniaturized
version of Android.

While these are noteworthy updates for Wear OS, there's still only one
watch on the market with the Snapdragon 3100 chip, and it's expensive.
But as Samsung and Huawei differentiate with its own wearable operating
systems, it's up to Google and its software partners to bolster Wear OS
before the market fragments further.

The app isn't out yet, but Spotify said it will be out in the coming week.